CHAPTER 3
TEACHING “GOOD MANNERS” TRICKS
IN THIS CHAPTER
YOU’LL ALSO NEED IN THIS CHAPTER 1. 6-12 FOOT WHITE LAUNDRY LINE OR WHITE ROPE
2. GREETING CARD OR INDEX CARD
3. ROPE (COUPLE PIECES ABOUT 6 INCHES OR SO)
4. RUBBER BAND
WHILE EVERY DOG SHOULD HAVE THE BASIC GOOD MANNERS TO SIT, STAY, NOT JUMP AND PULL. THESE TRICKS WILL REALLY IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. PRAISE EVEN SMALL MOVEMENTS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND GIVE THE APPROPRIATE COMMAND WHEN THEY OCCUR. PRETTY SOON, YOUR DOG WILL BE ACTING ON CUE FOR YOU!
POTTY IN ONE PLACE AND ON COMMAND
HAVING A DOG THAT WILL ELIMINATE IN A DESIGNATED PLACE IS A REAL ADVANTAGE. NO YELLOW STAINS MARKING UP THE LAWN, NO STANDING OUTSIDE FOR HOURS WAITING FOR YOUR DOG TO GO, A HANDY TRAVEL CUE TO TAKE WITH YOU ON TRIPS; THE BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS!
YOU CAN TEACH THIS TRICK WHETHER OR NOT YOUR DOG IS FULLY HOUSE-TRAINED. AND WHEN YOU SUCCEED, YOU WILL CONSIDER IT NO SMALL MIRACLE. JUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
1. SELECT A “SACRED BATHROOM AREA” IN YOUR YARD. USING WHITE CLOTHESLINE, CREATE A 6 TO 12 FOOT WIDE CIRCLE TO DESIGNATE THIS AREA. TAKE YOUR DOG TO THIS AREA ON LEAD WHEN YOU’RE SURE HE’S GOT TO GO!
2. IF YOUR DOG GOES IN THE CIRCLE SAY “GET BUSY” OR “GO POTTY” (WHATEVER YOU WANT TO USE FOR WORDS IS FINE) WHEN HE’S FINISHED, GIVE A TREAT AND SAY “GOOD DOG!” IF HE MISSED YOU MARK, PRAISE WARMLY BUT NO TREAT.
IF YOUR DOG DECIDES TO PLAY WITH THE ROPE, SOAK IT OVERNIGHT IN BITTER APPLE SPRAY (FOUND AT YOUR LOCAL PET STORE) A NONTOXIC SUBSTANCE WITH A TASTE DOGS FIND UNPLEASANT. HAVE FAITH! SOON YOUR DOG WILL BE POTTY TRAINED ON THE SPOT! IT REALLY HELPS ME OUT AT THE AIRPORT WITH MY DOGS. AIRPORTS RARELY HAVE DOGGIE BATHROOMS, THOUGH LOS ANGELES FINALLY PUT IN A REALLY NICE RUN FOR THEM, BUT IF YOU HAVE A LONG FLIGHT OR A LAYOVER AND CAN’T MAKE IT OUTSIDE IT’S NICE TO HAVE POTTY PADS. IF YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR DOG THAT POTTY PADS ARE OKAY TO USE THEN PUT A POTTY PAD OR A COUPLE OF POTTY PADS IN THE CIRCLE AS WELL. I HAVE MINE TRAINED THAT THEY CAN EITHER GO OUTSIDE OR ON A POTTY PAD. THEY’LL GET USED TO YOU SAYING “GO POTTY” THAT THEY’LL KNOW THAT THEY’LL KNOW WHERE TO GO OUTSIDE YOUR YARD AREA. WITH MY SHEPHERD I’VE MOVED TO A COUPLE DIFFERENT HOUSES AND HE PICKS THE ONE SPOT IN THE YARD AND WILL ALWAYS GO IN JUST THAT ONE SPOT. IT MAKES IT REALLY NICE FOR CLEAN UP AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACKYARD AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT LAND MINDS!
REMEMBER TO PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG. NO DOG WILL GO WHERE HE’S GONE 20 TIMES BEFORE. WOULD YOU?
CITY CANINES
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A THREE ACER SPREAD IN THE COUNTRY, DON’T WORRY. THE ROPE TRICK CAN WORK IN THE CITY TOO! YOU’LL NEED TO MODIFY THE CIRCLE TO ENCOMPASS THE CURB. AFTER ALL, IF YOU’RE IN THE CITY, DOGS MUST ELIMINATE ON THE CURB.
CITY DOG OWNERS MUST CLEAN UP POOPS IMMEDIATELY. THOUGH THERE ARE DESIGNER POOPER-SCOOPERS ON THE MARKET, I’VE FOUND IT VERY TIDY TO COVER MY HAND WITH A PLATIC BAG, PICK UP THE POOP, AND THEN TURN THE BAD INSIDE OUT TO SURROUND THE DEPOSIT.
INSIDE JOBS
DO YOU HAVE AN INDOOR DOG? THE CIRCLE TRICK MAY NOT ALWAYS BE NECESSARY BECAUSE YOUR DOG WILL USUALLY GO WHEREVER THE PAPER IS PLACED. IF YOU AND YOUR DOG ARE SEASONED TRAVELERS, HOWEVER, A PORTABLE ROPE OUTLINING THE PAPER CAN HELP EASE THE TRAVEL TRANSITION FOR YOUR DOG.
WHEREVER YOU LIVE, HANG BELLS BY YOUR FRONT DOOR, LEVER WITH YOUR DOG’S NOSE. ENCOURAGE YOUR DOG TO RING THE BELLS BY TAPPING THEM WITH YOUR FINGERS EACH TIME YOU MAKE A RUN TO THE SACRED BATHROOM AREA. SOON YOUR DOG WILL RING THE BELLS EVERYTIME SHE HAS TO ELIMINATE. IT’S A GREAT TICK! SOMETIMES WE MISS THAT “I’VE GOTTA GO MOMMY/DADDY LOOK IN THEIR EYES!” THE BELL IS LOUD AND CLEAR!
SETTLE IN ONE SPOT
GETTING YOUR DOG TO SETTLE IN ONE SPOT IS ONE OF THOSE TRICKS THAT YOU WILL BE GREATFUL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! PICK AN AREA FOR YOUR DOG IN EACH ROOM. I ADVISE A SPOT THAT IS TO THE SIDE OR IN A QUITE CORNER. I SOMETIMES CALL THIS PLACE A STATION. ADORN YOUR DOG’S STATION WITH A TOY AND BEDDING. IF THAT’S WHAT HE LIKES.
EACH TIME YOU ARE IN THE ROOM AN YOU’D LIKE YOUR DOG TO QUITE DOWN, TELL HER “PLACE” AS YOU POINT TO THE AREA. IF HE IGNORES YOU, LEAD HIM THERE AND SAY “PLACE” AS YOU POSITION HIM IN A COMFORTABLE “DOWN” POSITION AND INSTRUCT “STAY.” IF YOUR DOG CHALLENGES HIS “STAY” COMMAND, SECURE A LEASH TO AN IMMOVABLE OBJECT NEAR THE STATION, LEAVING JUST ENOUGH SLACK FOR YOUR DOG TO LIE DOWN COMFORTABLY.
SOON YOU CAN JUST POINT, AND YOUR DOG WILL HAPPILY GO THERE. HE’LL BE COMFORTABLE CHEWING HIS FAVORITE BONE OR TOY AND NOT BE IN THE WAY OF YOU OR FAMILY TRAFFIC. IF YOU’D LIKE TO CREATE A PERMANENT DOGGY SPOT IN THE TV ROOM OR BEDROOM, CONSIDER POSITIONING THE DOGGY SPOT NEAR THE COUCH OR THE BED. DOGS LOVE BEING CLOSE TO YOU!
HERE’S A QUICK TRICK IF YOU’RE DOG IS STILL A PUP OR HAVE SMALL KIDS. TRY ATTACHING ONE OF YOUR DOGS FAVORITE TOYS WITH A PIECE OF ROPE AND TIE IT TO SOMETHING IMMOVEABLE NEAR THE STATION SPOT. THAT WAY IT WON’T DISAPPEAR.
TELL ME YOU’RE HUNGRY!
HOW DO YOU TEACH THEM THIS TRICK? YOU NEED TO START OUT WITH A DOG THAT IS COMFORTABLE PUTTING THINGS IN HER MOUTH. IF YOUR DOG WON’T PICK UP ANYTHING SHORT OF A BISCUIT, THEN HE MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS TRICK. OTHERWISE, FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS:
1. TAKE YOUR DOG ASIDE WITH TREATS AND HIS FOOD DISH.
IF YOU’RE USING A STAINLESS STEEL BOWL, TAPE A COTTON CLOTH AROUND THE RIM.
2. ASK YOUR DOG “ARE YOU HUNGRY?” AND WAVE THE BOWL IN FRONT OF HER FACE. WHEN SHE CLAMPS ON, PRAISE AND TREAT.
ASK YOUR DOG “ARE YOU HUNGRY?” AND WAVE THE BOWL IN FRONT OF HER FACE. WHEN SHE CLAMPS ON, PRAISE AND TREAT.PRACTICE UNTIL YOUR DOG MAKES THE CONNECTION THAT GRASPING THE BOWL IS THE NAME OF THE GAME.
3. NOW HOLD THE BOWL ABOUT AN INCH FROM THE FLOOR. SWISH THE BOWL BACK AND FORTH AS YOU ASK, “ARE YOU HUNGRY?” WHEN THE DOG TAKES THE BOWL, REWARD WITH TREAT AND “GOOD DOG!”
4. PLACE THE BOWL ON THE FLOOR, STAND UP STRAIGHT AND ASK, “ARE YOU HUNGRY?”
PRAISE AND INTEREST YOUR DOG SHOWS IN THE BOWL. REWARD ANY CONTACT.
5. SAY TO THE DOG “COME” GENTLY TAKE THE BOWL FROM HIS MOUTH AND PUT IT IN YOUR LAP. THIS GESTURE SHOWS HIM THE DESIRED OUTCOME. PRAISE, AND REWARD.
EVENTUALLY, REWARD DIRECT DELIVERIES ONLY!
DO NOT PLAY ANY FEEDING GAME AT FEEDING TIME OR WITH YOUR DOG’S BOWL FULL OF FOOD. YOU DO NOT WANT TO TEACH HIM TO SNATCH HIS FOOD BOWL FROM YOUR HAND.
PICK UP YOUR TOYS
THIS IS A GREAT ONE WITH MY GERMAN SHEPHERD. PEOPLE THAT COME AND STAY CAN’T BELIEVE HOW NEAT HE IS WITH HIS TOYS. MY MOM AND I STAYED IN A HOTEL ROOM FOR AWHILE AND HE DIDN’T HAVE HIS TOY CHEST BUT HE STILL FOUND A PLACE UNDER THE HOTEL CHAIR TO PUT HIS TOYS AWAY EACH NIGHT WITHOUT ME EVEN ASKING HIM TO DO IT OR WHERE TO PUT THEM SINCE WE WERE AWAY FROM HOME. YOU’LL FIND THAT WITH A LOT OF THESE TRICKS THAT YOUR DOG WILL LOVE THEM AND WANT TO DO THEM EVEN WITHOUT BEING TOLD. I’M GLAD TOO BECAUSE IF YOU’RE ANYTHING LIKE ME I’M ALWAYS BRINGING HOME NEW TOYS FOR THE KIDS, AND WITH HAVING MORE THAN ONE DOG THEY ALL WANT THEIR OWN TOY AND LOOK AT ME WITH GUILTY EYES IF I ONLY GET ONE AND THEY HAVE TO SHARE, SO THE AMOUNT OF TOYS IN MY HOUSE IS INSANE! SO KEEP THEM PICKED UP IS A MUST AND SOMETHING I DON’T WANT TO DO MYSELF RUNNING ALL OVER THE HOUSE PICKING THEM UP.
IF YOU HAVE BOTH KIDS AND DOGS THIS IS A GOOD PROJECT. HAVE THE KIDS DECORATE A TOY BOX FOR THEIR DOG. LET THEIR CREATIVE IMAGINATION GO WILD -- MAGAZINE CUTOUTS, PHOTOS, DRAWINGS, RUBBER STAMPS, COMPUTER PRINTOUTS, AND SO ON. YOUR DOG WILL LOVE IT IN ANY CASE.
IF YOUR HOUSE HAS BEGUN TO LOOK LIKE A MINDFIELD LITTERED WITH TOYS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TEACH YOUR DOG THE COMMAND TO “PICK UP!” OR “TIDY UP!”
1. PLACE THE TOY BOX IN A DESIGNATED AREA. DECIDING ON A DESIGNATED AREA IS A BOG DECISION -- YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE TOY BOX LOCATION FOR AWHILE.
2. BRING YOUR DOG TO HIS BOX WITH A FAVORITE TOY, AND GIVE HIM THE TOY.
3. SNAP YOUR FINGERS OVER THE BOX. WHEN YOUR DOG LEANS HIS HEAD OVER THE BOX TELL HE “DROP IT, PICK UP!” AS YOU OFFER A TREAT REWARD WHICH SHOULD ENCOURAGE HIM TO DROP THE TOY.
4. REPEAT THE DROP-IN-THE-BOX STEP FOUR TIMES.
5. REPEAT THESE SESSIONS ONCE OR TWICE A DAY.
6. AS YOUR DOG CATCHES ON, TRY GIVING HIM THE TOY FARTHER AND FATHER FROM HIS BOX (WHICH SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE SAME AREA)
7. AFTER HE CATCHES ON TO THIS STEP, GO NEAR THE TOY BOX AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME LEAVE THE TOY ON THE FLOOR AND ENCOURAGE YOUR DOG TO PICK IT UP.
YOU CAN INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TOYS HE PICKS UP. START BY REWARDING A TWO TOY DROP. THEN A THREE TOY DROP, THEN FOUR.
NOW YOU’RE READY TO START HIRING OUT YOUR VERY OWN FOUR FOOTED MAID SERVICE!!!
OPEN AND SHUT
TEACHING YOUR DOG TO OPEN AND SHUT THE CUPBOARDS IS ONE CLEVER ACT BUT IT REQUIRES TWO SEPERATE SKILLS. YOU HAVE TO TEACH THEM ONE BY ONE. MAKE SURE YOUR DOG HAS MASTERED STEP ONE BEFORE YOU MACY ON TO THE NEXT.
*ALSO KNOW THAT WHEN YOU TEACH THIS TRICK THAT THEY USUALLY START PICKING IT UP AND MOVING ON TO OTHER OBJECTS THEY KNOW THEY CAN OPEN LIKE DOORS, ETC… WATCH WHAT KIND OF DOOR KNOBS THAT YOU HAVE. MY SHEPHERD LOVES THIS TRICK AND WE MOVED INTO A HOUSE THAT I DIDN’T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO WITH THE DOOR HANDLES AND BEFORE I KNEW IT HE WAS ON THE LOOSE. HE’S VERY SMART THAT WAY AND I ALWAYS HAVE TO CHECK DOORS BEFORE HE STAYS SOMEWHERE. YOU DON’T WANT YOUR DOG TO GET HURT BY LEARNING THIS TRICK. ALSO REMEMBER BY TEACHING YOUR DOG TO GO INTO THE CUPBOARD THAT THE CUPBOARDS HE CAN GET INTO DOESN’T HAVE ANY BAD CHEMICALS THAT HE CAN GET INTO AND HURT HIMSELF, OR THAT THEY HAVE FOOD IN THEM THAT YOU DON’T WANT HIM TO HAVE. YOU CAN ALSO TEACH HIM TO STAY OUT, BUT AS SOON AS YOU’RE NOT AROUND OR TURN YOUR BACK JUST KNOW THAT HE MAY BE BACK IN THEM! SO YOU DECIDE IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO TEACH YOUR DOG.
SHUTTING DOORS REQUIRES THE “TOUCH” COMMAND.
1. HOLD OUT A GREETING CARD OR INDEX CARD TO YOUR DOG AND SAY “TOUCH” TREAT AND PRAISE
2. MOVE AROUND THE ROOM, HOLDING THE CARD IN CARIOUS LOCATIONS, GIVING THE “TOUCH” COMMAND. (DON’T MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STEP UNTIL YOUR DOG HAS GOT THIS ONE DOWN PAT.)
3. TAPE THE CARD TO THE CUPBOARD DOOR AND OPEN THE DOOR SLIGHTLY. (WHEN YOU TAPE THE CARD, POSITION IT AS YOUR DOG’S CHIN LEVEL, NOTHING TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW.)
4. COMMAND, “TOUCH” AND REWARD THE SLIGHTEST EFFORT, EVEN IF YOUR DOG DOESN’T SHUT THE CUPBOARD COMPLETELY.
AS YOU DOG CATCHES ON, OPEN THE DOOR AND COMMAND “SHUT IT” AS YOU POINT TO THE CUPBOARD DOOR. REWARD ONLY THOSE TOUCHES THAT SNAP THE CUPBOARDS TIGHTLY CLOSED.
NOW YOU’RE READY TO EXPAND TO OTHER DOORS IN THE HOUSE. REMEMBER THAT EACH NEW ADVENTURE WITH THE DOOR ONLY SLIGHTLY OPEN, AND PROGRESS SLOWLY.
OPENING DOORS
WHEN TEACHING THIS COMMAND, I USUALLY DIVIDE DOGS INTO TWO CATEGORIES: PAW EXPRESSIVE OR MOUTH EXPRESSIVE. EITHER WAY, YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A ROPE HANDLE AND ATTACH IT TO THE DOOR AT EITHER PAW OR MOUTH HEIGHT.
MOUTH EXRRESSIVE: FIRST WIGGLE THE ROPE AND PIQUE YOUR DOG’S INTEREST AWAY FROM THE DOOR. WHEN YOUR DOG STARTS MOUTHING THE ROPE, ATTACH IT TO THE DOOR HANDLE AND
REWARD YOUR DOG FOR PULLING IN ON LOCATION.
PAW EXPRESSIVE: ATTACH THE ROPE TO THE DOOR HANDLE, PRETEND TO PAW AT IT, AND REWARD YOUR DOG FOR COPYING YOU. AFTER YOU PIQUE YOUR DOG’S INTEREST, INCREASE HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH THIS SERIES OF REWARDS.
NOW YOU HAVE A DOG WHO CAN NOT ONLY OPEN THE CUPBOARD TO TAKE WHAT SHE WANTS, BUT WHO CAN COVER HIS TRACKS BY CLOSING IT!
GET YOUR LEASH
IT’S A TRUE FACT OF NATURE THAT DOGS LOVE TO GO FOR WALKS. THOUGH TEACHING THEM TO GET THEIR LEASH MIGHT ENCOURAGE SOME LATE NIGHT DELIVERIES!
1. WHEN YOUR DOG IS NOT WEARING HIS LEASH, ENCOURAGE HIM TO TAKE IT IN HIS MOUTH.
2. WHEN HE’LL DO IT READILY, SAY “GET YOUR LEASH!” AND PRAISE AND TREAT
FOLD THE LEASH NEATLY AND SECURE IT WITH A RUBBER BAND OR STRING. PLACE IT ON THE COUCH AND ENCOURAGE YOUR DOG TO GET IT BY SAYING “GET YOUR LEASH” AND POINTING TO IT.
3. IF YOUR DOG GRABS THE LEASH, PRAISE AND TREAT (EVEN FOR PARTIAL RETURN. IF YOUR DOG’S NOT INTERESTED, ENCOURAGE HIM BY RUNNING OVER AND MAKING A BIG DEAL OVER THE LEASH)
4. REPEAT #4 BUT NOW REWARD ONLY WHEN YOUR DOG BRINGS THE LEASH TO YOU.
5. REMOVE THE STRING AND LET YOUR DOG GRAB THE LEASH ON HIS OWN.
6. THE WEIGHT AND PULL OF THE LEASH MAY SEEM AWKWARD AT FIRST, BUT PRAISE YOUR DOG AS YOU ENCOURAGE HIM TO COME TO YOU.
7. GO TO THE AREA WHERE YOU KEEP THE LEASH AND PLACE IT IN AN OBVIOUS SPOT. STAND JUST A FEW FEET AWAY AND ENCOURAGE YOUR DOG’S DELIVERY.
8. EXTEND YOUR DISTANCE FROM THE LEASH AS YOU REPEAT THE REQUEST, AND REWARD GOOD DELIVERIES.
IT’S FINE FOR YOUR DOG TO BRING HIS LEASH TO ASK FOR A WALK, BUT NEVER LET HIM MOUTH IT WHEN HE’S WEARING IT. DOGS THAT TAKE THEIR LEASH IN THEIR MOUTH DURING A WALK ARE TRYING TO WREST CONTROL FROM YOU. YOU SHOULD BE WALKING YOUR DOG; DON’T ALLOW HIM TO WALK HIMSELF OR YOU!
SAY YOUR PRAYERS
THIS IS A CUTE TRICK! THE GOAL IS TO GET YOUR DOG TO PLACE HIS PAWS ON ANY OBJECT AND LOWER HIS HEAD REVERENTLY. ARE YOU LAUGHING? I’M SERIOUS!!
1. SIT YOUR DOG SQUARELY IN FRONT OF YOU AND SHOW HER A TREAT. YOU SHOULD BE SITTING TOO.
2. LIFT HIS LAWS GENTLY ONTO YOUR LAP.
3. HOLD THE TREAT IN BETWEEN HIS PAWS AND UNDER YOUR LEGS SO THAT HE HAS TO DROP HIS HEAD BETWEEN HIS PAWS TO REACH FOR IT. TELL HIM “STAY” AS YOU LET HIM LICK THE TREAT. SAY “OKAY” AS YOU GIVE HIM THE TREAT AND PRAISE HIM.
4. AFTER YOU SENSE THAT HE HAS CAUGHT ON TO THIS SEQUENCE AND CAN HOLD HIS HEAD STILL FOR 10 SECONDS, BEGIN TO USE THE PHRASE “SAY YOUR PRAYERS!”
5. PRACTICE TELLING HIM TO REST HIS PAWS ON OTHER THINGS, SUCH AS BEDS OR A CHAIR. OFFER THE TREAT OVER THE BACK OF A CHAIR, FOR INSTANCE, ALWAYS USING “SAY YOUR PRAYERS”